In the south-east of Slovenia there lies Bela krajina, a region known for white birches as well as friendly and hospitable people. Community Semič with 3820 inhabitants includes the northern fringe of Bela krajina. The major part of this region is covered with forests; the rest of its territory is a shallow karst landscape with bright fern forests, fields and meadows.Semiška gora and its adjacent slopes have been turned into vineyards by the people of Semič who are humorously referred to as "Šokci". Wine cellars next to the vineyards house top quality wine.

Mild climate, meadows brimming with flowers, picturesque hills and vast forests on the sunny side of the Gorjanci offer  a pleasant and unspoilt habitat for bees. The grey bee flourished in this area in the past when it was kept in straw hives and in ťkranjičŤ (a Slovenian type of a beehive) as well as in modern frame beehives which were introduced later on. The sorts of honey which are gathered by bees in unspoilt nature are of excellent quality. Beside honey the amicable beekeepers offer other beehive products as well; they also produce Carniolan mead and honey liquor. When the conversation livens up the beekeepers will tell a lot about the busy life of bees and abundant harvests in the past.

The vast forests of the mountain range Kočevski Rog are a home of some rare plants. The photo shows the grey bee collecting nectar on a holly (Ilex aquifolium L.).

The Beekeepers' Society Semič has 26 members. Its highly respected member is Mr Josef Stark, PhD who passes  fresh knowledge from other parts of the world to our members. In the spring he visited us together with Mr Sören Eriksson (in the middle), president of the Swedish Beekeepers' Association. On the right stands Mr Josef Stark and on the left there is Mr Stane Plut, president of The Beekeepers' Society Semič.